Eighteen UBC students win prestigious Vanier Canada Scholarship

August 30, 2012

Eighteen doctoral students from the University of British Columbia have been awarded the 2012 Vanier Canada Scholarships. Vanier scholars receive $50,000 annually for up to three years to support their graduate studies in the social sciences, humanities, natural sciences, engineering or health sciences.

Joanna Bernhardt, a researcher at UBC and now a Vanier scholar, is exploring coastal ecosystems in the face of climate change. Coastal ecosystems provide recreational opportunities, protection from storms and healthy seafood.

Bernhardt’s research will involve experiments in naturally occurring ocean “cold spots” to gather information on resilience to climate warming. This study will advance the science needed to support the marine policies that will help sustain the coastal ecosystems over the next century and beyond.

“I’m honoured to be included among the highly talented and engaged group of Vanier scholars,” said Bernhardt. “As a marine ecologist, I believe strongly in doing use-inspired research in collaboration with coastal communities. The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship will give me both the financial freedom to tackle questions about how to best manage our valuable oceans in the face of climate change and the time to apply this science and learn from the communities in which I work.”

UBC has the second highest number of scholars, after the University of Toronto. In today’s federal government announcement, 156 Vanier scholars from 29 universities were named, including graduate students from the United States, Europe, Asia and Africa who are studying in Canada.

The 2012 scholarships are valued at $23.4 million. Since the program’s inception in 2008, 660 Vanier scholarships have been awarded — a federal investment of $98.4 million.

Vanier scholars are selected through a competitive process, administered by Canada’s three research granting councils: the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.